The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-04

As the stalwart youth, sat there,
wondering in his misery, to whom he
could apply for help, he heard the
tramp of horses on the road. He heard
them halt. There was shout
Hello there! House"
Motioning the old negro woman.
their only servant for years, to 60 out
and see what was required he resumed
his moody silence and posture.
How long the woman had gone he
did not note, but she returned erect,
with the fire of wrath in her eyes.
"Ha! Nassau Dug'l! Dat'er stuck up
Miss Jinnie'll sing fodder slider mouf
fore long l reckons. Dem dars Yankees.
an deys goin' ter cotch dat reb All'n
vote come sulkin' back yer. Dey didn't
jist know de road, but dun tell dem
de way, shur'
Then Dugal rose with his face white
with his rage; that woman had never
been nearer death than that moment.
you murderessr' he Kissed and
sprang for her But he restrained
himself as she covered before him.
"Let the dead bury the dead" he
muttered.
He gave her some directions as to
going for the one person on whom he
GOULD depend, in case nc did not return,
for paying the last service to that cold
clay that he left; then went and kissed
the lips of his dead mother and strobe
out into the darkness.
Swift as Il dear, quiet as panther,
he made his way to the Dean
house by paths that would be in
accessible to cavalry. If Allen
were there, his plans were already
made. The friend of his youth must
be in hiding, and Dugal knew the old
HOMESTEAD so thoroughly that he was
certain where to find him. He reached
the back of the house just as the troop
drew up before it. Quickly he climbed
on the roof of the "lean-to," and
quietly he entered the little apartment
A few rays of the moon showed him a
gaunt form stretched out upon hastily
made bed on the floor. He knelt down
and put his hand upon the figure. In
an instant the man rose up, tried to
grapple with him, then fell back with
grOan.
"Allen, man! Allen, dearI It's me,
Dugal. Do nothing, say nothing. They
shall not take YOU"
There was a noise at the door, the
scream of an elder and the wild protest
atiOns of younger woman were min
gled with the gruff, firm voice of man.
We'll search the house, miss, and il
he amt here there's no harm done, but
search it we must and will"
Dugal was busy all this time, and as
Jennie with her frail body was trying
to bar the entrance of the officer and
his men, behind her appeared figure
in butternut, ragged attempt at uni.
form.
Don't harm my mother and sister,
will go with you," said the new arrival.
Jennie gave one glance and sank
senseless upon the floor; the old mother
was long since blind and speeches.
from fright
Gladly the troops secured their pris-
oner and hurried away from such
scene.
1t was early morning when they
reached the headquarters of the COM
mand. The Colonel was a man who
had suffered much; he believed in war
of retaliation. He neither asked nor
gave quarter.
The>prisoner was brought before him
"WhO are you?"
ALLEN Dean"
"What regiment"
Tenth Alabama"
"What are you doing in our linesi"
"On scout."
''ShoOt him at noon." was the quiet
but stern order given to the Lieuten-
ant, and the doomed man was marched
away.
Noon came; there was not time for
much prayer or question, and the un-
fortunate had made no sign.
The firing detail had been mace,
troops were ranged about, the prisoner
was brought from the tent used as
guard house. and placed before an open,
shallow grave.
Five minutes and all would be over.
A sorry looking mule came forcing
its way along the road. On it was a
young man who swayed from side to
side with weakness, and whose thin
cheeks burned with fever and excite
ment. So sudden and strange was his
that he forced himself
through the line before interference
was thought of, and tottering toward
the condemned he threw his arms about
him; then facing the troop, he cried:
81 am Allen Dean; l am a rebel.
This is Dugal Moore, and true Union
man."
There was confusion, of course.
There was inquiry, for the Colonel,
though hard, was just.
"Why did you personate this mane"
he asked.
He was my friend before the war;"
HAS he sister," asked the shrewd
HE has. sir" replied Dugal, and his
pale face blushed.
Il thought so; there's always
woman in it" said the Colonel to HIM
self, but he said no more.
Dugal was set free. Allen remained
a prisoner. but WAS released in time to
attend the wedding of Jennie and